Ollie Watkins returned to hang-out former membership Brentford with the decisive strike as Aston Villa recorded a 1-0 win on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium.
The England striker, who left west London in 2020, was jeered by the house followers as his medical end saved Villa within the hunt for European qualification.
Villa, in seventh, at the moment are two factors off fourth-placed Manchester Metropolis, who misplaced 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Minutes after John McGinn’s lapse of focus in his personal field virtually gifted the hosts an opener, a counter-attack sparked by Mikkel Damsgaard meant the Dane practically added to his 10 assists this season. The midfielder’s completely weighted contact to launch Yoane Wissa was interrupted by an offside flag.
Villa, on observe to advance into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after Tuesday’s first-leg 3-1 win over Membership Brugge, started to heat to the duty and appeared harmful from set-pieces.
Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi pounced on a free ball from a nook and compelled Mark Flekken into motion with a close-range low cease earlier than a terrific little bit of talent from Youri Tielemans created the half’s finest probability.
The Belgium worldwide had ample time on the ball and dropped a shoulder earlier than discovering his manner into the realm and taking pictures straight at Flekken.
Villa continued to play with spark after the interval and the medical Watkins buried his first probability of the match.
Ollie Watkins breaks the impasse towards his former membership! 🔓
His sixth purpose in six video games towards Brentford since he left 🔥
Tielemans was instrumental once more as he turned beneath stress and set Morgan Rogers away, with the attacking midfielder feeding Watkins, who despatched his effort contained in the close to submit from a good angle.
Villa had two strikes disallowed of their 4-1 defeat by Crystal Palace final month and their misfortune struck once more after they had been denied one other from the restart.
Watkins’ tempo was utilised as soon as once more as he was performed in behind. He unselfishly gave Rogers an easy six-yard end, however VAR deemed the striker to have began his run too quickly.
Unai Emery turned to the bench within the type of Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford, however Brentford elevated the tempo of the match, with Keane Lewis-Potter’s effort hitting the submit earlier than Watkins was left red-faced when his chipped effort whereas one-on-one with Flekken was merely scooped up by the goalkeeper.
07:43 PM GMTAxel Disasi post-match ideas
Talking to Sky Sports activities, Aston Villa defender Axel Disasi stated: “After enjoying within the Champions League it’s exhausting to win, however I believe immediately we deserved the three factors. Within the first half we performed very properly. At the start of the second half we scored, after which all of us noticed the character of the crew. We had been robust and we had been searching for a clear sheet.
“We should be extra constant. After the sport we misplaced towards Palace [in Villa’s last league game], we had been hungry and wished to appropriate it. The sport immediately was the right reply as a result of everybody was preventing.”
Talking about his exchanges with Kevin Schade, he stated: “I simply tried to do my finest to assist the crew. I got here right here to play and to take pleasure in myself. I’m very joyful at Villa.”
Talking on Villa’s remainder of the season, he stated: “It’s nonetheless 9 video games to go. We’ll take it one sport at a time. We all know we’ve to be larger within the league. We simply have to remain targeted. We have now one other sport on Wednesday [in the Champions League]. I hope this type of sport will carry confidence to the crew.”
07:30 PM GMTVilla nonetheless vying for Europe
Aston Villa’s hard-fought win takes them as much as seventh within the Premier League desk, a degree behind Chelsea and Brighton above them.
07:25 PM GMTFull time: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Aston Villa have claimed all three factors in west London for simply their second away league win in ten away matches.
Brentford did put Villa on the again foot after Watkins’ purpose, however the guests held on to seal simply their fourth league clear sheet this season.
The house aspect, in the meantime, at the moment are with no win on the Gtech in seven video games going again to December final yr.
07:23 PM GMT94 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Brentford have a nook and Damsgaard’s beautiful inswinging supply flashes throughout the field and is flicked previous the far submit by a Brentford head.
Olsen then intervenes properly to intercept and maintain onto a looking out cross into the field by Mbeumo in the direction of the outstretched Yoane Wissa.
07:18 PM GMT90 minutes: Brentford 0 Villa 1
5 minutes of stoppage time introduced on the Gtech Stadium, as Brentford filter ahead to muster one final opening on purpose.
07:16 PM GMT87 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Watkins has an enormous alternative to settle this match, after being put by way of on purpose by Morgan Rogers.
The striker has time to determine what end to use, and opts to aim to chip the Brentford goalkeeper, however his feeble effort is definitely gathered by Flekken.
If Brentford get a late equaliser, you may’t assist however really feel Watkins will rue this miss.
07:13 PM GMT83 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Brentford proceed to exert stress on the Villa purpose in an eventful couple of minutes.
First, Olsen palms away Schade’s shot from outdoors the field, earlier than a menacing low cross is steered away by Disasi.
From the ensuing throw-in, Villa practically reward Brentford with an equalliser, as Olsen drops a cross after colliding with Watkins however the guests nonetheless handle to clear their traces.
07:09 PM GMT80 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Villa now have a nook after Watkins’ deflected shot sails over the bar.
The ball finds its option to Disasi on the fitting hand aspect, who joyfully jinks within the nook and wins his aspect a throw.
Having escaped two penalty claims, it’s protected to say Disasi is having fun with himself now.
07:07 PM GMT78 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Disasi but once more is concerned in a name for a Brentford penalty, as he comes along with Schade and brushes him to the bottom.
The house supporters cry out for a penalty however the Var deems the Frenchman harmless as soon as extra.
07:00 PM GMT70 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Brentford are knocking on Villa’s door in pursuit of an equaliser, and Disasi produces one other well-timed sliding problem to dam Schade’s close-range effort on purpose.
Shortly afterward, Lewis-Potter’s low strike from the sting of the field fizzes onto the left hand submit earlier than bouncing away from purpose.
06:55 PM GMT65 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Brentford suppose they need to have a penalty after Villa defender Disasi collides with Kevin Schade within the penalty space.
Disasi had misplaced his footing, which most likely permits him to take pleasure in doubt by the Var officers, however that didn’t cease Brentford’s supervisor Thomas Frank protesting strongly to the closest official.
06:52 PM GMT63 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen, a short time in the past was clutching his again once more a short time in the past after claiming a cross.
The 35 yr previous nonetheless is on the pitch, however McGinn has departed instead of Boubacar Kamara.
06:48 PM GMTWatkins offside
– 49′ VAR OVERTURN
VAR checked the referee’s name of purpose – and established that Watkins was in an offside place within the build-up and really useful that the purpose was disallowed.
06:47 PM GMT58 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Lewis-Potter flies down the left flank for Brentford and appears to ship a low cross, however Disasi executes a implausible sliding sort out to dam the ball and divert it for a nook, adopted by exuberant celebrations from the Frenchman.
06:45 PM GMT54 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Brentford supporters had been rallying their gamers after Rogers’ disallowed purpose, and the house aspect then threatened to equalise a number of minutes later.
Wissa’s header from an inswinging nook narrowly flew over the bar, as Brentford look to realize a foothold again into this match.
06:40 PM GMT52 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1
Within the blink of an eye fixed, Villa thought they’d doubled their lead, with Morgan Rogers tapping in after some nice work from Watkins on the left hand aspect.
However the England striker is adjudged to have ran offside within the lead as much as the purpose.
The rating stays at 1-0.
06:36 PM GMTGOAL! Brentford 0 Villa 1 – Watkins
Villa have taken the lead and it’s the previous Brentford man Ollie Watkins who has fired the guests in entrance.
The 29 yr previous receives the ball on the left hand aspect and cuts in to drive a well-struck deflected shot by way of Flekken’s legs to open the scoring.
06:33 PM GMTBack underway
The second half has now commenced, with Aston Villa making one change after the break, with Matty Money changing Leon Bailey.
06:17 PM GMTHalf time: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
All sq. on the break, with each groups unable to create any significant alternatives in that first half.
You are feeling like a purpose would positively spark this sport into life, as each groups have proven some indicators of attacking endeavour.
06:14 PM GMT42 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
After a protracted wait, Bailey ultimately is elected to take the free kick however the Jamaica worldwide can solely drive an effort into the Brentford wall.
McGinn then earns a reserving for catching Wissa with a stray arm when monitoring again to sort out the Brentford ahead.
06:10 PM GMT39 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
Aston Villa now have a free kick round 30 yards from purpose, with Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne standing over the ball.
They’ve dominated possession previously 5 minutes, however haven’t managed to carve a gap.
06:06 PM GMT33 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
Youri Tielemans has been on the coronary heart of Villa’s assaults in these previous couple of minutes, first driving into the penalty space on the left and firing a shot that’s palmed away by Flekken earlier than being cleared away for a nook.
Tielemans. moments later is free on the again submit to satisfy an exquisite cross from the fitting however his downward header is diverted over the bar by Pinnock.
06:02 PM GMT30 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
Aston Villa’s stand-in goalkeeper Robin Olsen seemed to be in notable discomfort holding his decrease again, after stretching to steer the ball away to forestall a Brentford nook.
The Swede is continuous in purpose for the timebeing, however visiting supervisor Unai Emery will probably be frightened provided that Emi Martinez is already lacking from the motion immediately because of harm.
05:58 PM GMT27 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
A momentary pause in proceedings now to permit gamers observing Ramadan on each groups to interrupt their fasts.
05:56 PM GMT24 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
Brentford now have a nook, after a protracted spell of Villa possession.
The guests practically launch a break neck breakaway from their very own half, however Keane Lewis-Potter does very properly to learn the hazard and forestall Jacob Ramsey progressing up the pitch.
05:53 PM GMTUnai’s loyal legion of Villa followers
🔊 Unai Emery’s Claret and Blue Military 🔊
That is the chorus ringing across the Gtech Stadium from the Villa followers because the first whistle was blown.
And everytime you suppose it’s quietened down, the mantra begins rising louder yet again.
05:49 PM GMT16 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
Axel Disasi causes Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken to supply a smothering close-range save, however the French defender is in an offside place.
His fellow defender Tyrone Mings then has an incredible probability to present the guests the lead, however his tame left footed shot from Tielemans well-delivered free kick is duly caught by Flekken with no issues.
05:44 PM GMT12 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
Villa now start to make inroads into the Brentford half and Jacob Ramsey produces a promising curled effort from the sting of the field that threatens to hassle Mark Flekken in purpose, however defender Nathan Colllins heads the ball away for a nook.
05:40 PM GMT8 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
Aston Villa don’t take a look at all assured to this point on the again in these opening phases.
First, John McGinn is caught in possession inside his personal penalty space, which practically presents Wissa with a transparent shot on purpose earlier than Villa smuggle the ball away from a clearance.
Moments later, Damsgaard performs a beautiful by way of ball that feeds Janelt on the left hand aspect, whose cross results in pictures for Schade and Wissa which can be repelled by Tyrone Mings earlier than a belated off aspect flag is raised.
05:37 PM GMT5 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
Brentford practically discover their manner behind Villa’s backline, when Janelt’s lengthy ball units Schade working by way of on purpose, however the attacker can not carry the ball beneath management.
A second of controversy then arises when stand in keeper Robin Olsen picks the ball up from an obvious backpass.
05:35 PM GMT3 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0
There’s a splendid environment on the Gtech to this point, with the travelling supporters lavishing Unai Emery with reward after one other rousing rendition of Hey Jude from the house followers pre-match.
05:30 PM GMTKick off!
The sport is underway in west London!
Can the guests banish their post-Europe blues to win a Premier League match after enjoying in Europe for less than the second time this season?
05:30 PM GMTMore defensive issues for Emery
Aston Villa supervisor Unai Emery will lament Emi Martinez’s absence immediately, given Villa have solely saved three Premier League clear sheets this season.
05:25 PM GMTA reminder of how each groups will line upBrentford
Flekken, Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Janelt, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade, Wissa. Subs: Jensen, Valdimarsson, Mee, Yarmolyuk, Konak, Maghoma, Kim,Morgan, Fredrick.
Aston Villa
Olsen, Disasi, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins. Subs: Zych, Money, Rashford, Torres, Garcia, Malen, Maatsen, Bogarde, Kamara.
Referee: Jarred Gillett (Australia)
05:18 PM GMTReport from Anfield as Liverpool transfer 16 factors clear at high
Right here’s our match report from Anfield, as Liverpool sealed a 3-1 comeback victory towards Southampton:
Our consideration will now flip to the Gtech Stadium for a tasty Premier League encounter between Brentford and Aston Villa.
05:03 PM GMTFull time on the Amex and Anfield
Liverpool have gained 3-1 towards Southampton to maneuver 16 factors clear on the high of Premier League, with 9 video games left.
In the meantime, Brighton’s last-gasp 2-1 win towards Fulham on the Amex Stadium takes the house aspect as much as sixth, only one level away from Manchester Metropolis, in fourth.
04:57 PM GMTGOAL! Brighton 2 Fulham 1 – Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro has fired his penalty previous Bernd Leno to certainly give Brighton all three factors in dramatic style!
04:55 PM GMTPenalty to Brighton!
Some very late drama in east Sussex, as Joao Pedro wins a penalty for Brighton.
04:54 PM GMTFull time: Palace 1 Ipswich 0
Crystal Palace have gained 1-0 towards Ipswich, and the guests could end the day eight factors away from security, if Wolves win tonight towards Everton.
04:51 PM GMTGOAL! – Liverpool 3 Southampton 1 – Salah
Liverpool are gifted their second penalty of the match, which is emphatically dispatched by Salah for his second this afternoon, and his twenty seventh league purpose this marketing campaign.
04:43 PM GMTGOAL! Palace 1 Ipswich 0 – Sarr
Palace lastly have their breakthrough on this encounter, and it’s Ismaila Sarr who will get onto the scoresheet, bursting previous opposing defender Jacob Greaves earlier than coolly dinking the ball over Palmer to present the house aspect the lead.
04:40 PM GMT76 minutes: Palace 0 Ipswich 0
Nonetheless goalless at Selhurst Park, however Palace have spurned an infinite probability to interrupt the impasse, with Daniel Munoz going by way of on purpose one on one with visiting goalkeeper Alex Palmer, however the Colombia worldwide fails to transform his effort previous Palmer.
04:31 PM GMTThree minutes of magic for Liverpool / Three minutes of insanity for Southampton
A reminder of how shortly this match at Anfield was turned on its head.
04:26 PM GMTVilla lineup
No Emi Martinez within the Aston Villa squad this afternoon, as Unai Emery’s aspect journey to the Gtech Stadium with out the world’s finest goalkeeper (who gained the Yashin Award in 2024, given by France Soccer)
04:24 PM GMTBrentford lineup
Right here’s Brentford’s beginning XI for his or her Premier League match towards Aston Villa, which kicks off at 5:30pm.
04:22 PM GMTAnother landmark for Salah this season
Mohamed Salah has now risen to 3rd in Liverpool’s record of all-time main purpose scorers, along with his 242nd purpose for the membership.
04:20 PM GMTView from Anfield
You would be forgiven for considering Liverpool had been intentionally terrible within the first time to wake themselves and everybody inside Anfield up. Nunez has now scored and gained a penalty.
Salah has put the league leaders in management, the Kop is bouncing and someway everyone seems to be the place they anticipated to be at 3pm by way of an odd diversion.
04:17 PM GMTGOAL! Liverpool 2 Southampton 1 – Salah
A dreadful two minutes for Southampton, as they now concede a penalty to Liverpool after Smallbone journeys Nunez within the penalty space.
Salah then fires his penalty excessive above Ramsdale’s diving body to place the house aspect in entrance.
04:15 PM GMTGOAL! Liverpool 1 Southampton 1 – Nunez
Darwin Nunez has scored an enormous purpose to carry Liverpool again on stage phrases, with a pleasant aspect footed end that zips previous Ramsdale after an excellent run down the left flank from Luis Diaz.
04:13 PM GMT52 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 1
Liverpool are cranking up the stress on this second half, and Elliott prompts Ramsdale right into a implausible low save, with the Southampton primary pushing the ball away for a nook.
04:10 PM GMT50 minutes: Brighton 1 Fulham 1
Joao Pedro comes near giving Brighton the lead, however the Brazilian can not hearth his close-range shot heading in the right direction.
04:08 PM GMTView from Anfield
Robertson, Elliott and Mac Allister are on for Liverpool. Controversially, Nunez isn’t amongst these changed.
04:07 PM GMTDibling’s dazzling dribbles troubling Liverpool once more
Most take-ons accomplished by an opposition participant towards Liverpool in a Premier League sport at Anfield this season:
◎ 6 – Jeremy Doku ◎ 4 – Matheus Cunha ◉ 4 – Tyler Dibling within the first half
The 19-year-old has an enormous future forward of him. 💫
04:05 PM GMTView from Anfield
It’s simple to say after a poor 45 minutes, however one can’t assist however suppose Slot wanted to belief the likes of Elliott and Endo extra immediately. There may be such an absence of power in his line-up, the after results of Paris can’t be dominated out.
It appears like adjustments are afoot on the interval.
04:03 PM GMTSouthampton defying the stats
How ironic wouldn’t it be for Southampton to earn a shock victory at Anfield towards the run of play, given Liverpool’s exploits in midweek towards PSG?
Properly, we’ve a minimum of 45 extra minutes to search out out whether or not Southampton can handle to drag off an astounding win.
03:57 PM GMTWho noticed this coming? Possibly Southampton knew all alongside…03:51 PM GMTView from Anfield
Any shouts on the most important shock leads to Premier League historical past? Southampton’s Will Smallbone is smelling it after placing his aspect forward.
Liverpool have paid a worth for taking part in like a aspect attempting to win this sport in first gear – all the things has been far too gradual as if there’s a perception a purpose is inevitable.
Once they quicken the tempo they’re clearly extra harmful, however that’s been uncommon within the first half. The very best probabilities have fallen to Nunez, and never for the primary time he has lacked the finesse to take them.
He has additionally been booked on the stroke of half-time Slot most likely has to make adjustments at half-time, beginning with Nunez who has been dire.
03:48 PM GMTGOAL – Liverpool 0 Southampton 1 – Smallbone
Silence round Anfield, besides from the ecstatic Southampton supporters, because the guests take a shock lead!
A calamitous mix-up between van Dijk and Alisson presents Will Smallbone with a golden alternative to place Southampton in entrance, and he slots the ball into the online for his first ever Premier League purpose.
03:43 PM GMTGOAL! Brighton 1 Fulham 1 – van Hecke
Brighton have equalised earlier than the break, with defender van Hecke planting a ravishing header previous Bernd Leno with the assistance of the submit to revive parity on this match.
03:36 PM GMTGOAL! Brighton 0 Fulham 1 – Jimenez
Fulham rating on the street once more, and it’s Raul Jimenez who has damaged the impasse for the guests.
Iwobi fires a cross into the Brighton field, and Jimenez fantastically traps the ball along with his left foot earlier than his thunderous half volley flies previous Verburggen.
03:34 PM GMT30 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0
Liverpool are making use of extra stress onto Aaron Ramsdale’s purpose, and the England goalkeeper denies Darwin Nunez with a pointy save from the striker’s flip and snapshot to maintain the rating goalless.
03:30 PM GMTView from Anfield
Southampton have began to throw a number of attacking punches, opening the sport up, which implies Liverpool are wanting harmful on the counter-attack.
It’s not the one-sided procession everybody predicted but.
03:29 PM GMT27 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0
Now visiting goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale produces a very good save of his personal, turning away Alexander Arnold’s effort inside a packed penalty space.
03:27 PM GMT25 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0
Regardless of shedding captain Jan Bednarek to a head harm, Southampton have grown in confidence on this encounter.
Matheus Fernandes pressured Alisson into an ideal save moments in the past, because the guests are posing a risk in what seemed to be a large mismatch earlier than kick off.
03:25 PM GMTWill Hürzeler halt Brighton’s winless run vs. Fulham?
Brighton head coach Fabian Huerzeler has led his crew to 4 straight Premier League wins since their 7-0 humiliation away at Nottingham Forest final month.
The 32 yr previous is hoping to present Brighton a primary league win over Fulham in ten makes an attempt, their longest ever winless run towards one other crew within the top-flight.
03:18 PM GMTView from Anfield
Nasty conflict of heads between Southampton defenders Ryan Manning and Jan Bednarek has introduced proceedings to a halt. As anticipated, the match is being performed solely within the Saints’ half.
Ramsdale has been fairly protected to this point, however the weight of stress is growing.
03:14 PM GMT12 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0
A quick second of concern for Liverpool with winger Luis Diaz laying harm on the turf after hurtling into the promoting hoardings.
The Colombia winger manages to mud himself all the way down to ultimately get himself up and working once more.
03:10 PM GMTView from Anfield
Liverpool have already equalled their shot depend from the PSG sport.
03:08 PM GMTView from Anfield
“Alisson, Alisson” was the Kop chant earlier than kick-off. They don’t count on him to be as busy immediately as midweek. Liverpool on the entrance foot instantly.
Curtis Jones has made a very good begin and gone shut twice already.
03:07 PM GMT5 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0
Liverpool have began with clear attacking intent on this match, tenting themselves within the guests’ half and swarming Southampton in possession.
Curtis Jones has simply had his shot from 15 yards roll previous the submit, after Salah’s preliminary shot was blocked.
03:04 PM GMT2 minutes: Palace 0 Fulham 0
Eddie Nketiah has an ideal probability to open the scoring at Selhurst Park, after Adam Wharton’s luxurious by way of ball, however the striker can solely direct his shot into goalkeeper Palmer’s legs.
03:01 PM GMTAnd we’re off!
All three 3pm video games at the moment are underway throughout the Premier League.
02:59 PM GMTKick off is close to for all three 3pm video games
All six groups concerned within the Premier League’s 3pm kickoffs are gearing up and on the brink of go.
02:56 PM GMTWill Dibling produce one other daring show towards Liverpool?
Tyler Dibling has been a brilliant spark in a really dour season for Southampton, and the 19 yr previous was wonderful within the reverse fixture at St Mary’s towards Liverpool in November.
Can {the teenager} hassle Liverpool as soon as once more this afternoon?
02:47 PM GMTView from Anfield
An unlucky error on Liverpool’s teamsheet. Cody Gakpo is listed among the many subs – suggesting he was making a return from harm.
In truth, he’s not within the matchday squad. Jarell Quansah is on the bench.
02:45 PM GMTFulham flourishing on the street this season
Fulham have had a terrific season on their travels within the Premier League this season.
In truth, victory towards Brighton would mark Fulham’s seventh top-flight away win this marketing campaign, their joint-most away wins in a Premier League season which they first achieved in 2022-23.
Fulham have additionally scored in 12 immediately top-flight video games. That is the membership’s finest scoring run in consecutive away league matches since a run of 14 matches between September 1959 and April 1960.
02:33 PM GMTWill Nketiah proceed his scoring streak at Selhurst Park?
Eddie Nketiah leads the road up entrance for Crystal Palace this afternoon, in Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s absence.
The 25-year-old has scored in his final two house matches at Selhurst Park, and scored his first Premier League purpose for Palace of their 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa in late February.
02:20 PM GMTWill Salah sink Southampton as soon as once more?
Mohamed Salah scored the successful purpose when Liverpool met Southampton again in November, as a part of a brace in an eventful 3-2 away triumph for Liverpool.
Will the 32-year-old handle so as to add to his 25 Premier League objectives this afternoon?
02:12 PM GMTView from Anfield
And so begins the most important week of Arne Slot’s debut season.
Paris head to Anfield after which Wembley awaits. First, the Premier League’s backside aspect stands between Liverpool and a sixteen level Premier League lead, which might put Arsenal on the foot of a mountain which appears greater by the week.
Slot was not bluffing when he stated Southampton are the precedence, his line-up with fewer adjustments than anticipated.
He has made solely three adjustments from the Parc des Prince, no quarter given in pursuit of this league title.
02:07 PM GMTSome stats to whet your urge for food…
Southampton are with no win from their final 9 Premier League journeys to Anfield. The guests have misplaced their final six away league video games vs Liverpool by an combination rating of 19-1.
58 factors separate Liverpool in first (67) and Southampton on the backside (9) coming into this match. That is the biggest factors distinction between two groups earlier than a Premier League match since July 2020 when Liverpool, then on 86 factors took on Aston Villa, on 27 factors, at Anfield.
Crystal Palace haven’t misplaced of their final 18 Premier League house matches towards groups sitting within the relegation zone, since a 4-0 loss towards Sunderland in February 2017.
Solely Crystal Palace (61% – 22/36) have earned a larger quantity of their complete Premier League factors this marketing campaign in away matches than Ipswich (59% – 10/17), with 5 of Ipswich’s eight factors since December approaching the street.
Brighton have gained every of their final three Premier League video games. The final time Brighton gained 4 straight top-flight matches was between April and Could 1981.
Fulham have gained their final three Premier League away video games. That is the membership’s finest away kind within the top-flight since 1966, the place they gained 5 immediately matches between March and April that yr.
01:55 PM GMTFulham lineup01:54 PM GMTBrighton lineup01:54 PM GMTIpswich lineup01:53 PM GMTPalace lineup
We assist the Palace 🎶🦅
The XI to tackle Ipswich. //
01:49 PM GMTSouthampton lineup
Southampton have made six adjustments from their 4-0 defeat away at Chelsea of their final Premier League fixture in late February.
Can they pull off an almighty upset at Anfield this afternoon?
01:47 PM GMTLiverpool lineup
The Reds to tackle Southampton this afternoon 👊
Liverpool make three adjustments from their midweek win towards PSG, with Nunez, Jones and Tsimikas coming into the crew for Jota, Mac Allister and Robertson.
01:44 PM GMTAlisson’s wonderful antics prised a valuable win for Liverpool in Paris
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker stole the present on Wednesday evening, because the 32 yr previous made 9 saves throughout an unbelievable efficiency, as his aspect wrestled a significant 1-0 Champions League win away at Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazil primary is unlikely to be as busy this afternoon, because the Premier League leaders welcome Southampton to Anfield.
01:32 PM GMTPreview: Liverpool now face three ‘finals’ in eight days
Good afternoon and welcome to the Telegraph’s reside clockwatch of the three Premier League matches kicking off at 3pm immediately.
Liverpool’s imperious cost in the direction of a twentieth English high flight title resumes this afternoon at Anfield towards backside aspect Southampton, with an infinite 58 factors separating these two groups at every finish of the desk earlier than kick-off.
Head coach Arne Slot, in his pre-match press convention pressured the significance of the Premier League leaders not underestimating their lowly opponents and urged the supporters to deal with this weekend’s match as a last, earlier than their Champions League second leg towards PSG on Tuesday, then adopted by their Carabao Cup last conflict towards Newcastle subsequent Sunday.
The Dutchman stated: “I’ve to persuade my gamers that we play three finals, like I stated now a number of occasions, and I’m hoping – and that’s why I each time give you the phrase ‘last’ – that I affect our followers a bit as properly.
“I’m hoping they won’t come into the stadium 5 minutes earlier than the kick-off, I’m hoping the entire stadium is already fully stuffed half an hour earlier than kick-off and that these gamers get the reward for what they did in Paris for working so exhausting.”
In the meantime, Southampton journey as much as Merseyside, on the again of 12 losses from their final 14 top-flight matches, struggling a pair of 4-0 defeats of their earlier two top-flight matches towards Brighton and Chelsea respectively.
Visiting supervisor Ivan Juric will want a miracle to ship his aspect from relegation, with 13 factors standing between Southampton and Premier League security with simply 11 matches left.
Nevertheless, the Croatian’s miniscule probabilities of orchestrating a monumental upset at Anfield are improved by the truth that Adam Lallana, Lesley Ugocukwu and Jan Bednarek will probably be out there for choice, as will centre again Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who returned to first-team motion towards Chelsea on the finish of February.
Brighton welcome Fulham to the Amex Stadium, with each groups turning their consideration again to the Premier League after securing their locations within the FA Cup quarter finals final weekend.
The house aspect have by no means crushed Fulham within the Premier League in 9 makes an attempt, shedding 5 and drawing 4 of those earlier encounters, however head coach Fabian Hurzeler has guided his crew to 5 straight wins in all competitions since that crushing 7-0 defeat away at Nottingham Forest final month.
Kaoru Mitoma will probably be out there for Brighton, after the Japanese winger suffered cramp within the crew’s 2-1 FA Cup triumph away at Newcastle, however Tariq Lamptey, who was despatched off in that match and midfielder Matt O’Riley are each sidelined this afternoon.
In the meantime, Fulham, beneath supervisor Marco Silva require solely 11 factors from their remaining 11 league matches to surpass the membership’s highest Premier League factors complete in a season, which was the 53 gained by Roy Hodgson’s aspect in 2008-09.
The west London aspect, will await to see whether or not Adama Traore will characteristic for them in east Sussex after injuring his ankle final Sunday towards Manchester United. Midfielder Sasa Lukic will miss the following two Premier League matches for Fulham having accrued 10 yellow playing cards this marketing campaign whereas Reiss Nelson, Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson stay sidelined.
Crystal Palace will probably be with out main scorer Jean-Phillipe Mateta for his or her house match towards Ipswich at Selhurst Park, because the French striker is recovering from being kicked within the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts throughout Palace’s 3-1 FA Cup win final Saturday.
Midfielder Will Hughes will begin his two-match suspension for receiving 10 yellow playing cards this marketing campaign, and Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are each nonetheless sidelined.
Accidents have plagued Ipswich in current weeks, with Axel Tuanzebe unable to characteristic in South London this afternoon because of a problem to his hamstring picked up in final Monday’s FA Cup shoot-out defat towards Nottingham Forest. Ahead Sammie Szmodics is about to endure ankle surgical procedure, and the Eire worldwide faces a prolonged spell out of first-team motion.
Cameron Burgess, Kalvin Phillips, Omari Hutchinson and Julio Enciso are all being monitored by Ipswich earlier than they’re thought-about match to return to first-team motion, however Wes Burns, Chiedozie Ogbene and Arijanet Muric stay dominated out for choice.